Resolute Ukraine summon reply to Frei

Having announced that he would retire from international football at the end of the season, Alexander Frei gave Switzerland a reminder of what they will miss, scoring twice in a 2-2 draw against Ukraine.

The FC Basel 1893 striker hit a fine free-kick to put Switzerland ahead five minutes before the break, and struck again around the hour mark after Olexandr Aliyev had levelled for UEFA EURO 2012 co-hosts Ukraine. However, the 31-year-old Frei was to be upstaged at the end with Yevhen Konoplyanka hitting a splendid equaliser for the visitors.

Ottmar Hitzfeld's side went into the game in determined mood, pressuring their visitors at the Stade de Genève. Andriy Pyatov in the Ukraine goal fended away efforts from Frei and Tranquillo Barnetta, but could do little to stop Frei's well-taken free-kick as the Swiss took the lead.

Ukraine had shown little threat before the break, with Marco Wölfli – deputising for the injured Diego Benaglio – given little to do. However, he was beaten within minutes of the restart as a deflected Aliyev set piece wrong-footed him.

Switzerland did not back down, and Frei got a telling touch to Hakan Yakin's 62nd-minute dead-ball delivery to restore the hosts' lead. At that stage, a home win looked likely, but 21-year-old Konoplyanka got his a share of the spoils with a splendid shot into the top corner with 15 minutes left.

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